Chapter 8
540 Words
The Blackwood estate was massive.
Selene had seen mansions before, but this wasn’t just a house—it was a fortress. Thick stone
walls, armed patrols, and a presence in the air that made her wolf restless.
Ronan led her through the halls without a word, his face unreadable.
Selene wasn’t scared. Not exactly. But there was something about meeting an
Alpha—especially one like Ronan’s father—that made her feel exposed.
When they reached the grand doors of the study, Ronan stopped.
“Stay calm,
” he murmured.
“He likes control. Don’t let him think you’re weak.
”
Selene narrowed her eyes.
“I’m not weak.
”
A ghost of a smirk crossed Ronan’s lips.
“I know.
”
Then, he pushed open the doors.
Inside, Alpha Blackwood sat behind an enormous desk, his presence alone commanding the
room. He was older than Selene expected, with streaks of silver in his dark hair, but his eyes
were the same as Ronan’s—sharp, calculating, unreadable.
For a long moment, he didn’t speak. He just studied her.
Then, finally—
“You should leave, girl.
”
Selene stiffened.
“Excuse me?”
The Alpha leaned forward.
“You don’t belong here. You don’t understand our ways. And if you
stay, you will be the reason my son dies.
”
The words hit like a slap.
Ronan’s expression darkened.
“That’s enough.
”
But the Alpha ignored him, his gaze never leaving Selene’s.
“You think this is just about you?
About your little feelings? This is war, girl. And you are not ready for it.
”
Selene’s nails dug into her palms. She wanted to argue, to prove him wrong, but…
Was he right?
Before she could answer, the door burst open.
Mason and Ava rushed in, breathing hard.
“You need to see this,
” Mason said.
“Now.
”
Minutes later—
Selene stood frozen in place, staring at the sight before her.
The training grounds were in chaos.
The wooden dummies used for practice had been slashed apart. The ground was painted with
blood—not human, but a message all the same.
And in the very center of it all, a body hung from the tallest training post.
Selene’s stomach twisted as she recognized the face.
It was Ethan.
Her best friend from before all this. The one person who had always believed in her, even when
she hadn’t believed in herself.
And now, he was dead.
Carved into his chest were two words:
"Your move.
"
Selene’s hands shook.
This wasn’t just an attack.
This was personal.
Ronan’s hand found her wrist, steadying her.
“Selene—
”
But she didn’t hear him.
Because something inside her had just snapped.
For weeks, she had been running. Questioning. Doubting herself.
But now?
Now, she was done being scared.
She turned to Ronan, her voice cold, steady.
“Find him.
”
Ronan hesitated.
“Selene—
”
“Find. Him.
”
Ava and Mason exchanged glances. Then Mason grinned, cracking his knuckles.
“Damn. It’s
about time.
”
Ronan exhaled sharply but gave a short nod.
“Then let’s end this.
”
And just like that—the hunt for Damon Voss had begun.
- Writer
